Direct anthelmintic and immunostimulatory effects of oral dosing semi-purified phytohaemagglutinin lectin in sheep infected with Teladorsagia circumcincta and Trichostrongylus colubriformis

An Inventory of Anthelmintic Plants across the Globe

A wide range of novelties and significant developments in the field of veterinary science to treat helminth parasites by using natural plant products have been assessed in recent years. To the best of our knowledge, to date, there has not been such a comprehensive review of 19 years of articles on the anthelmintic potential of plants against various types of helminths in different parts of the world. Therefore, the present study reviews the available information on a large number of medicinal plants and their pharmacological effects, which may facilitate the development of an effective management strategy against helminth parasites. An electronic search in four major databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) was performed for articles published between January 2003 and April 2022. Information about plant species, local name, family, distribution, plant tissue used, and target parasite species was tabulated. All relevant studies meeting the inclusion criteria were assessed, and 118 research articles were included. In total, 259 plant species were reviewed as a potential source of anthelmintic drugs. These plants can be used as a source of natural drugs to treat helminth infections in animals, and their use would potentially reduce economic losses and improve livestock production.

Anthelmintic effect of a water soluble Moringa oleifera lectin in rodents experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus

Allied to the problem of gastrointestinal parasites, especially Haemochus contortus, the use of lectins of plant origin has contributed to the research of alternative anthelmintics. The nematicidal effect of a water soluble Moringa oleifera lectin (WSMoL) was investigated in an experimental model with H. contortus infected Wistar rodents. Three concentrations were tested orally: 5 mg/kg, 2.5 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg. The reduction in the number of larvae recovered in the experimental groups was analyzed, as well as biochemical, hematological and histological parameters. Treatments with 5, 2.5 and 1 mg/kg of WSMoL reduced the number of larvae recovered of animals by 74.7%, 72.8% and 66%, respectively. Untreated infected animals had anemia, moderate mononuclear multifocal hepatitis, vascular congestion in the liver and kidneys, white pulp hyperplasia in the spleen, and presence of eosinophils in the intestine. Infected animals treated with 5 mg/kg of WSMoL showed liver with moderate bleeding, kidney with vascular congestion, spleen with white pulp hyperplasia and intestine with moderate presence of mononuclear cells. An increase in the serum level of glutamic pyruvic transaminase and a reduction in the level of hemoglobin (p < 0.001) were also observed in this group when compared to the uninfected group. However, the administered concentrations of 2.5 and 1 mg/kg of WSMoL were both satisfactory in terms of reducing the number of recovered larvae and not promoting negative changes in the biochemical, hematological and histological parameters evaluated. These results indicate an in vivo nematicidal effect of WSMoL on the H. contortus parasite.

The potential of plant and fungal proteins in the control of gastrointestinal nematodes from animals

Gastrointestinal nematode infection is an important cause of high economic losses in livestock production. Nematode control based on a synthetic chemical approach is considered unsustainable due to the increasing incidence of anthelmintic resistance. Control alternatives such as the use of natural products are therefore becoming relevant from an environmental and economic point of view. Proteins are macromolecules with various properties that can be obtained from a wide range of organisms, including plants and fungi. Proteins belonging to different classes have shown great potential for the control of nematodes. The action of proteins can occur at specific stages of the nematode life cycle, depending on the composition of the external layers of the nematode body and the active site of the protein. Advances in biotechnology have resulted in the emergence of numerous protein and peptide therapeutics; however, few have been discussed with a focus on the control of animal nematodes. Here, we discuss the use of exogenous proteins and peptides in the control of gastrointestinal.

Myracrodruon urundeuva seed exudates proteome and anthelmintic activity against Haemonchus contortus

Seed exudates are plant-derived natural bioactive compounds consisting of a complex mixture of organic and inorganic molecules. Plant seed exudates have been poorly studied against parasite nematodes. This study was undertaken to identify proteins in the Myracrodruon urundeuva seed exudates and to assess the anthelmintic activity against Haemonchus contortus, an important parasite of small ruminants. M. urundeuva seed exudates (SEX) was obtained after immersion of seeds in sodium acetate buffer. SEX was fractionated with ammonium sulfate at 0–90% concentration to generate the ressuspended pellet (SEXF1) and the supernatant (SEXF2). SEX, SEXF1, and SEXF2 were exhaustively dialyzed against distilled water (cut-off: 12 kDa) and the protein contents determined. Mass spectrometry analyses of SEX, SEXF1, and SEXF2 were done to identify proteins and secondary metabolites. The seed exudates contained protease, protease inhibitor, peptidase, chitinase, and lipases as well as the low molecular weight secondary compounds ellagic acid and quercetin rhamnoside. SEX inhibited H. contortus larval development (LDA) (IC₅₀ = 0.29 mg mL^-1), but did not affect larval exsheathment (LEIA). On the other hand, although SEXF1 and SEXF2 inhibited H. contortus LEIA (IC₅₀ = 1.04 and 0.93 mg mL^-1, respectively), they showed even greater inhibition efficiency of H. contortus larval development (IC₅₀ = 0.29 and 0.42 mg mL^-1, respectively). To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to show the anthelmintic activity of plant exudates against a gastrointestinal nematode. Moreover, it suggests the potential of exuded proteins as candidates to negatively interfere with H. contortus life cycle.

Effect of Nigella sativa alcoholic extract and oil, as well as Phaseolus vulgaris (kidney bean) lectin on the ultrastructure of Trichomonas vaginalis trophozoites

Trichomonas vaginalis is a parasitic protozoan that is the aetiological agent of trichomoniasis, the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease worldwide. Currently, the compound of choice for the treatment of T. vaginalis infections is metronidazole, however, it has many side effects and an increase in metronidazole-resistant trichomoniasis has been observed. Medicinal plants could be a source of new antiprotozoal drugs with high activity, low toxicity and lower price. The present work was carried out to investigate the therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa alcoholic extract and oil, as well as Phaseolus vulgaris (kidney bean) lectin and their in vitro activity on the ultrastructure of T. vaginalis trophozoites in comparison to metronidazole, as detected by transmission electron microscope. Both N. sativa oil and P. vulgaris lectin showed high toxic effect as evidenced by severe cell damage with cytoplasmic and nuclear destruction, while the effect of N. sativa alcoholic extract was moderate. Therefore, these two extracts could offer an effective, cheaper and more safe alternative for metronidazole in treatment of trichomoniasis.